What is Causing Autism Prevalence to Increase? – Part 2

This part 2 of a 2 part series is from Michael Rosanoff and Andy Shih, Ph.D. who both work in the Autism Speaks science department. This second post is from Andy Shih. Both guest bloggers bios are below the post.

The release of the latest prevalence data by the CDC last week was important in two ways. One, of course, is its implication for the role of environmental risk factors in autism. The other is how the finding enhances awareness and supports our call for more money for research.

In addition to the contributions these studies can make to our understanding of autism, they will also help raise awareness and inform policy development in parts of the world where affected individuals and families struggle with severe stigma, and in many instances, little or no support and care. Another way to look at it is that when you conduct a prevalence study, you are basically asking members of the autism community to stand up and be counted. When that happens, especially if the number is anywhere close to the 1 percent figure we have here in the States, their plight and needs can no longer be ignored.

Author Bios

Andy Shih

Andy Shih, Ph.D. is the Vice President of Scientific Affairs at Autism Speaks, where he oversees the etiology portfolio, which includes research in genetics, environmental sciences, and epidemiology. He was responsible for the formation and development of Autism Speaks sponsored international autism research collaborations, the Autism Genome Project and the Baby Siblings Research Consortium. Andy also leads Autism Speaks’ international scientific development efforts, such as the Global Autism Public Health Initiative (GAPH). Andy joined the National Alliance for Autism Research (NAAR) in 2002.

Prior to joining NAAR, Andy had served as an industry consultant and was a member of the faculty at Yeshiva University and New York University Medical Center. He earned his Ph.D. in cellular and molecular biology from New York University Medical Center.

Andy’s research background includes published studies in gene identification and characterization, virus-cell interaction, and cell-cycle regulation. He was instrumental in the cloning of a family of small GTPases involved in cell-cycle control and nuclear transport, and holds three patents on nucleic acids-based diagnostics and therapeutics. Andy is a resident of Queens, where he lives with his wife, daughter and son.

Michael Rosanoff

Michael Rosanoff, MPH, is a member of Autism Speaks etiology team and manages the organization’s epidemiology and public heath research grants. Since joining the organization in 2007, Michael has been the staff lead in overseeing the International Autism Epidemiology Network (IAEN) and is part of the development team for the Global Autism Public Health Initiative (GAPH). He is also a member of Autism Speaks Grants Division, helping oversee the administration of the organization’s grant-making process for research.

Prior to joining Autism Speaks, Michael conducted independent research at the Gertrude H. Sergievsky Center, a clinical, epidemiological and genetic research center at Columbia University Medical Center focused on developmental disorders of the nervous system. His research background is in genetic and psychiatric epidemiology as well as behavioral neuroscience and neuroimmunology, with publications in the fields of epilepsy and depression. Michael earned his Master of Public Health (MPH) in epidemiology from Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health and resides in N.J.